# NTSB ANC12CA043: Piper PA-18-150, N3772Z, Anchorage, AK, May 29, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2012, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 60.85361, -150.040557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8536&lon=-150.0406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83796/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83796 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA043 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusting crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on final approach to runway 4, when just prior to touchdown, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The left wingtip hit trees and brush, and the airplane turned left with the right wing and right elevator contacting the ground. Wind was estimated from 100 degrees at 10 to 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right elevator. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot was on final approach to runway 04, when just prior to touchdown, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The left wingtip hit trees and brush, and the airplane turned left with the right wing and right elevator contacting the ground. Wind was estimated from 100 degrees at 10 to 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right elevator. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3772Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3772Z), registered now, S/N 18-7451, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7451 - Airframe hours: 5244 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2012 - Departed: PAMR, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: runway 04, 900 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 4,957 total, 3,465 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F - Observed at: ENA, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120529011229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120529011229A), May 29, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Chickaloon Flat, AK, Substantial damage. On approach encountered crosswind and gusty conditions. Near touchdown point pilot encountered gust and was unable to prevent aircraft from drifting from the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83796. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372806&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.